Tribal Silver Coin Pendant on Mixed-Media Cord
Jewelry - Necklace/Pendant · Indigenous or Artisanal Tribal Silversmith; likely from Northern Africa or Central Asia, typically produced in local workshops or village settings.
Pattern: None; traditional ethnographic folk jewelry using repurposed coinage or cast medallion replicas.
Type
Jewelry - Necklace/Pendant
Maker
Indigenous or Artisanal Tribal Silversmith; likely from Northern Africa or Central Asia, typically produced in local workshops or village settings.
Material
Likely Low-Purity Silver (600-800) or White Metal (Alpaca/Nickel Silver); appears to have high copper content based on wear patterns and sulfide oxidation.
Dimensions
Pendant diameter: approx. 2.5 - 3 cm; Estimated weight: 8-12 grams. Cord length: unknown.
Description
This item is a piece of ethno-tribal jewelry featuring a circular silver-toned medallion suspended from a hand-wrapped cord. The medallion depicts a stylized profile of a figure in a helmet, reminiscent of ancient numismatic motifs. The piece is characterized by its rustic, bohemian aesthetic, combining metalwork with organic textiles.
Key Features
Hand-wrapped cord detail, crude coin-replica casting, and heavy natural patina typical of ethnographic trade jewelry.
Material & Composition
Likely Low-Purity Silver (600-800) or White Metal (Alpaca/Nickel Silver); appears to have high copper content based on wear patterns and sulfide oxidation.
Finish & Decoration
Oxidized, hand-hammered, and heavily worn surface; features a crude relief of a profile head (Greek or Roman style), possibly a localized imitation of an ancient drachma.
Hallmarks & Stamps
No formal hallmarks visible; features a hand-drilled suspension hole. Small punch-like textures are likely casting defects rather than official stamps.
Construction Details
Cast using the lost-wax method or sand casting from an original coin, then hand-drilled for suspension and attached to a cord of natural fibers and beadwork.
Functional Features
Suspension hole for stringing; integrated into a multi-strand cord with colorful thread wrapping and secondary metal spacers.
Handle & Grip Details
N/A
Craftsmanship Details
Evident hand-finishing on the drilled hole and cord wrapping; the metalwork itself is of standard 'market' quality rather than high-end silversmithing.
Authentication Indicators
Lack of crisp relief indicates a cast copy rather than a struck coin; metal color suggests a base-metal alloy or low-grade 'coin silver'.
Origin & Manufacturing
Likely Morocco, Ethiopia, or Afghanistan; manufactured in a manual workshop environment using traditional primitive smelting.
Era & Period
Contemporary Ethno-Tribal (late 20th century to present); utilizes ancient motifs within a traditional craftsmanship framework.
Age Estimate
Latter half of the 20th century (c. 1960–1990); based on the type of cord fiber and the softness of the casting relief.
Cultural Significance
Represents the fusion of currency and ornament in nomadic cultures where portable wealth was traditionally displayed in women's jewelry.
Condition Notes
Good/Fair; heavy surface tarnish and abrasions consistent with use as a talismanic or trade piece. The cord shows fraying near the attachment point.
Value Estimate
$20 - $50 (USD); value is primarily decorative and ethnographic rather than based on precious metal weight.
Care & Maintenance
Gentle hand-polishing with a soft cloth for the metal; avoid liquid dips which can rot the organic natural fibers of the cord.
Similar Pieces
Berber jewelry from the Maghreb or Kuchi jewelry from Central Asia; differs in the specific cord wrapping and metal alloy used.
Interesting Facts
Tribal jewelry often uses replicas of coins like the Maria Theresa Thaler or ancient Greek coins as symbols of wealth, status, and protection.